What are the best printers for college students?
While many colleges and universities will have printers available for student use, having your own printer can save you time and energy, limiting the number of trips you’ll have to take to the communal printer. Whether it’s printing a final copy of a research paper, working on a project or simply wanting a hard copy of your notes and study materials, having a good cheap printer in your dorm room or apartment can be a lifesaver.
For a relatively low price, you can find reliable, high-quality Wi-Fi, all-in-one printers and compact models designed for optimal space-saving so that you can meet all of your deadlines.
What to look for in a printer
Every college student will have different requirements regarding the quantity and type of documents they’ll need printed. However, there are a few features and specifications everyone should consider when searching for the ideal printer.
Printer type
The two main types of printers are inkjet and laser. Inkjet models use traditional ink cartridges and are best for printing color and high-quality images. However, you will likely need to replace the cartridge more often.
Laser printers are best for black and white printing as well as printing a high volume of documents at fast speeds. The toner used in laser printers tends to be more expensive than ink cartridges.
Connectivity
Considering that most of our smartphones and other electronic devices operate using Wi-Fi, it makes sense that a majority of printers also allow users to print using a Wi-Fi network. If you are looking to print both wirelessly and through a USB connection, choose a model that features both connectivity methods.
Multipurpose
There are several multipurpose and all-in-one printer options that can print and copy, scan and fax. These features may not be necessary for all students, but some may find them helpful.
Size and style
Let’s face it, college dorms and housing are usually tight, leaving you without much room for bulky machines. For those who want to keep their space streamlined, a small cheap printer can help reduce clutter.
Best cheap printers for students
Best inkjet printers
You’ll have the ability to print, copy and scan with this small, inexpensive and reliable printer. Plus, you’ll also receive three months of free instant ink delivery service, so you won’t have to worry about your printer running low when your most important papers are due.
One of the most compact options available, this mobile wireless printer can fit in a backpack and allows you to print from virtually anywhere. Great for students who travel, you can print instantly from your phone while on the go.
Slightly larger but still able to fit on a desk, the Epson Workforce Pro is designed for speed. Students can print up to 21 black and white pages, or 11 color pages per minute, utilizing either the single-sided or double-sided printing feature.
Featuring an easy-to-read touch screen, Wi-Fi connectivity and cloud printing capabilities, you can choose the printing method most convenient for you. The 150-sheet tray capacity lets you print large files without any hassle.
Fast printing speeds, a 2.4-inch LCD screen and voice-activated printing are just a few of the key features included with this reasonably priced Epson model.
Best laser printers
This economical Wi-Fi printer is a small and lightweight workhorse that can print up to 36 pages per minute. With built-in safety protocols, you can be sure that your data is safe and protected.
This laser printer lets you print from any device and offers automatic two-sided printing. The HP Wolf Pro Security system protects your data from thieves. Plus, it can print up to 35 black-and-white pages per minute.
Featuring both a 250-page paper tray and a manual paper feed slot, you can work with a wide range of page sizes, thicknesses and finishes. The high yield monochrome output means you can print large documents in a matter of seconds.
Seeing as not all laser printers offer full-color printing, this affordable option can print high-quality color images over a standard Wi-Fi connection.
A sleek and minimalistic laser printer, this Canon model has relatively high print speeds of up to 30 pages per minute. Mobile connectivity lets you print from anywhere, and you can easily scroll through the settings on the LCD panel.
Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.
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